The Wizard of Oz was first written by L. Frank Baum & published in 1900.
This fantastic & creative story was released as a one-reel silent film in 1910.
In 1914 Baum went on to create many OZ stories in the format of film, including His Majesty & The Scarecrow of OZ.
There are officially 40 book titles in the series of Oz. After Baum died in 1919, 6 other authors continued the series.
A full length silent-screen adaptation of The Wizard of Oz began production in 1925, by Baum's son Larry Semon.
The Wizard of Oz is brought to its colourful array of bright cheerfulness & bursts onto the big screen in 1939. This magic came true through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions. The attendance was record-breaking!
This film shows that it is a true classic, by joyfully receiving 2 Oscars in 1940, as well as receiving a special award for Judy Garland's exquisite performance.
Oz made history in 1956 by being the first major Hollywood film shown on Network Television. It was viewed by an amazing 45 million viewer's.
Judy's spectacular magical ruby slippers where bought for $15,000 at an MGM auction in 1970. They were then donated anonymously in 1979 to the Smithsonian & are displayed in the National Museum of American History, in an exhibition called Icons of American Culture.
The Wizard of Oz is cited as one of America's 10 Greatest Movies by members of the American Film Institute, in 1977.
In 1978 the film was adapted into a Motion Picture.
Viewers could enjoy the colourful joy of this film at home when it was released on video tape in 1980.
Judy Garland sang "Over the Rainbow" so beautifully that it was entered into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 1981.
In 1985 Walt Disney created the delightful journey of imagination, fascination & live-action in the Return to Oz.
I viewed the Wizard of Oz by Victor Flemming last weekend & enjoyed the classic, jovial performance. The cheerful song & dance will have you smiling in your chair, while your eyes dance over the screen trying to catch the bright cheerful goings-on.
I am looking forward to viewing the Return to Oz this Friday eve, the last time I watched it I was about 5. I remember the treatful lunch boxes that were found hanging in a tree. I remember an old interesting key & a vine-covered castle. A passage way was proudly displaying human heads. That part was quite scary at the age of 5 or so.
Here's to creative & colourful film!!
Information excerpted & adapted from: The Wizard of Oz - Warner Bros
